Reversible fulcrum mechanism



W. C. HEDGUUCK.

REVERSIBLE FULCRUM MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 23. 1921.

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Patented Nov. 28, 1922.

WILLIAM C. HEDGCOCK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINQIS, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN STEEL FOUNDRIES, 01? CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPOEATION 0}? NEKV JERSEY.

REVERSIBLE FULGRUM MECHANISM.

Application filed September 23, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lVILLL-uu C. Hnneoocn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reversible Fulcrum Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to brake beams and more particularly to reversible fulcrums forming a part thereof.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient reversible fulcrum arrangement for brake beams which is adapted tomeet the requiren'lents for a fulcrum which may be used rigl'it-hand and left-hand and at the same time prevent the existence of lost motion and properly perform its function as a strut of the brake beam truss.

This and other objects are accomplished b means of the arrangement disclosed on the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a brake beam embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the fulcrum body and showing the tension and compression members and a wedge as sociated therewith in section; an d Figure 3 is a sectional view taken in the plane of line 3--3 of Figure 2.

The various novel features of my invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the figures of the drawings it will be noted that I have disclosed my invention in connection with. a truss type of brake beam including a compression member 10, tension member 11 and a fulcrum 12 extending therebetween. The reversible fulcrum includes a main body portion 13 having spaced arms 14 between which a brake lever, not shown, may be pivotally mounted. The rear end of the fulcrum body 13 is provided with an integrally formed projection 15 which in this instance extends through registering openings 16 and 17 of two overlapping portions 18 and 19 respectively of a band 20 which surroundsv or embraces the compression member 10. After the projection 15 is passed through openings 16 and 17 it is up set to form a head 21.

For positioning the band 20 onthe compression member said band is provided with a depression or seat 22 for the reception of a Serial No. 502,771.

corresponding projecting portion 23 formed on the web 241- of the compression member 10. F or making the fulcrum connection between the compression and-tension members absolutely rigid and overcoming any lost motion, a wedge 25 is driven between the front surface of theweb 2a of the compression member and the head 21 formed integrally with the fulcrum body This wedge is provided with an inclined surface 26 by means of which the wedging action is gradually applied. hen the wedge is driven to its final wedging position further movement in the 53.1116 direction is prevented by the lip 27 which engages a portion of the band 20. The tongue 28 of the wedge may then be bent over into a locking position, as shown in, Figure 1, for preventing accidental withdrawal of the wedge.

Not only does the wedge take up all lost motion between the parts in question, but it yieldably holds the reversible fulcrum body 13 in adjusted position. I

The rear end of the fulcrum body is provided with angular faces 29 for engagement with a laterally turned lip 30' on the portion 18 of band 20 for limiting reversible movements of the fulcrum.

The front end of the fulcrum body has pivotally connected thereto a tension rod saddle 31 which permits reversible move ments of the fulcrum body.

By means of this arrangement the fulcrum body forms a perfect strut in the brake beam truss and may be reversed and yieldably-held in adjusted position.

it is my intention to cover all modifications of the invention falling within the spirit and. scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In bralre beam, the combination of a compression member, separate closed band embracing said compression member, a reversible fulcrum body having a headed projection whereby it is rotatably secured to said band, and means interposed between said compression member and said headed headed projection and compression member for preventing lost mot-ion longitudinally of said fulcrum body.

3. In a brake beam, the combination of acompression member, a separate closed band operatively associated with said compression member, a reversible fulcrum body having a headed projection whereby it is rotatably secured to said band, and means interposed between said con'iprcssion men'iber and headed projection for preventing lost motion longitudinally of said fulcrum body.

4. In a brake beam, the combination of a compression member, a reversible fulcrum body, a band operatively associated with said compression member and fulcrum body and having a projecting portion, means interposed between said compression member and fulcrum body for preventing lost motion longitudinally of the fulcrum body, said fulcrum body being adapted to engage said projecting portion for limiting reversible movements of said fulcrum body.

5. In a brake beam, the combination of a compression member, a closed band having overlapping apertured portions and em bracing said compression member, a fulcrum body having a projection extending through the apertures of said overlapping band portions, and a wedge between said compression member and projection for preventing lost motion longitudinally of said fulcrum body.

6. In a brake beam, the combination of a compression member, means embracing said compression member, a fulcrum body having a projection extending through said means, and a wedge between said compression mem her and projection for preventing lost motion longitudinally of said fulcrum body, said means and fulcrum body having cooperating portions for limiting reversible movements of said fulcrum body.

7. In a brake beam, the combination of a compression member, a band embracing said compression member, said compression member and band having cooperating means for preventin a given movement of said band with respect to said compression member, a reversible fulcrum body extending beyond said band, and a wedge engaging said compression member and a portion of said fulcrum body for preventing lost motion longitudinally of said fulcrum body.

8. In a brake beam, the combination of a compression member, a band embracing said compression member, said compression member and band having cooperating means for preventing a given movement of said band with respect to said compression memher, a reversible fulcrum body extending beyond said band, and a wedge engaging'said compression member and a portion of said fulcrum body for preventing lost motion longitudinally of said fulcrum body, said fulcrum body and band having cooperating portions to limit reversible movements of said fulcrum body.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 15th day of September, 1921.

WILLIAM o. nnnooooK. 

